Singles Social Club: It's Always 5 o'clock here!

[nurse.darcy]

I know it is a PIA to DIS from phone, I thought you were hanging with your guys.

Well that too. . .lol.

 

[Tramp77]

Did everyone see the announcement today that Avatar land is coming to Animal Kingdom? No joke. Ugh...I think I want to puke. This is WDW's response to Harry Potter? Not only was Avatar lame (sorry to those who liked it), but it has absolutely nothing to do with Disney. I know...I know...neither does Star Wars. But Avatar isn't Star Wars...not even close. This company seems to P me off more and more these days. Sorry everyone...one of those days. Where's the alcohol?!

 

[ssuriano]

I can't believe it. It's another reason I won't spend more than a half day in that park when I go back to WDW.

 

[DCTooTall]

Did everyone see the announcement today that Avatar land is coming to Animal Kingdom? No joke. Ugh...I think I want to puke. This is WDW's response to Harry Potter? Not only was Avatar lame (sorry to those who liked it), but it has absolutely nothing to do with Disney. I know...I know...neither does Star Wars. But Avatar isn't Star Wars...not even close. This company seems to P me off more and more these days. Sorry everyone...one of those days. Where's the alcohol?!

Yup.... Saw the announcement... and been heavily involved in trying to follow a lot of the threads that popped since since about 2. I'm FINALLY starting to catch up.

Honestly.... right now I see it as a potential good thing, but am holding my final judgement until we have more than a general announcement. I like the idea of Animal Kingdom getting an actual expansion. Not just a single ride, but something larger with hopefully multiple things worth checking out.

i Can see an AvatarLand being very visually stunning, and since the movie had a very strong environmental/conservation undertone, it would fit in nicely with AK's overall message.

AND... considering how much light, sounds, etc played in the Pandora jungle, I could also see the possibility of the new area finally bringing some nighttime entertainment to AK and maybe give them a reason to extend the park hours. seriously, a World of Color-eque show could work quite well (and the next Avatar movie is supposed to involve Pandora's oceans) with the lighting effects.... we don't currently have WoC over on the east coast.... and it wouldn't require the pyrotechnics that are the primary concern at AK because of their ability to startle the animals.



So there is real potential here for something amazing to come out of it. The question becomes is Disney going to do it right? The article in the Sentinal hinted at a possible budget which looks promising, so it really comes down to the imagineers and if they can do something worthy of Disney.

(I'm optomistic that whatever they do would be something that would be worth going too on it's own merits, not something that would rely on the Avatar name and hype to survive.)

 

[taramoz]

Yup.... Saw the announcement... and been heavily involved in trying to follow a lot of the threads that popped since since about 2. I'm FINALLY starting to catch up.

Honestly.... right now I see it as a potential good thing, but am holding my final judgement until we have more than a general announcement. I like the idea of Animal Kingdom getting an actual expansion. Not just a single ride, but something larger with hopefully multiple things worth checking out.

i Can see an AvatarLand being very visually stunning, and since the movie had a very strong environmental/conservation undertone, it would fit in nicely with AK's overall message.

AND... considering how much light, sounds, etc played in the Pandora jungle, I could also see the possibility of the new area finally bringing some nighttime entertainment to AK and maybe give them a reason to extend the park hours. seriously, a World of Color-eque show could work quite well (and the next Avatar movie is supposed to involve Pandora's oceans) with the lighting effects.... we don't currently have WoC over on the east coast.... and it wouldn't require the pyrotechnics that are the primary concern at AK because of their ability to startle the animals.



So there is real potential here for something amazing to come out of it. The question becomes is Disney going to do it right? The article in the Sentinal hinted at a possible budget which looks promising, so it really comes down to the imagineers and if they can do something worthy of Disney.

(I'm optomistic that whatever they do would be something that would be worth going too on it's own merits, not something that would rely on the Avatar name and hype to survive.)

I'm with you, want to wait and see what they do with it, has some potential. I have to be honest, I didn't see the movie, so I cannot judge the fit, but let's see what they come up with!

 

[Tramp77]

I'm with you, want to wait and see what they do with it, has some potential. I have to be honest, I didn't see the movie, so I cannot judge the fit, but let's see what they come up with!

I think my biggest problem with this whole thing is that it seems like Disney can't come up with anything original anymore. Character meet and greets, Pixar and princesses everywhere...now we have to add Marvel and Avatar? Remember the days when Disney created attractions like Pirates and the Haunted Mansion...or how about EPCOT? Hell...even Expedition Everest just several years ago. Now it seems like the imagination has gone out the window. Or...the suits just want in the parks whatever they feel like will bring in the most money.

 

[DCTooTall]

I think my biggest problem with this whole thing is that it seems like Disney can't come up with anything original anymore. Character meet and greets, Pixar and princesses everywhere...now we have to add Marvel and Avatar? Remember the days when Disney created attractions like Pirates and the Haunted Mansion...or how about EPCOT? Hell...even Expedition Everest just several years ago. Now it seems like the imagination has gone out the window. Or...the suits just want in the parks whatever they feel like will bring in the most money.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/09/answering-your-questions-about-avatar-at-disney-parks/


Honestly..... one way I'm looking at this is as Imagineering Training Wheels. Imagination has kind of been lacking... as well as imagineering's ability to actually tell a story in an attraction. I'm hoping that maybe by using an existing proven franchise it will give the bean counters the confidence to allow the imagineers to work on their skills to truly bring us something wonderful. The thing about the world of Pandora is that while the world has been created, the stories that can be told are virtually endless and they aren't really confined to the narrative of the movie.

 

[ahoff]

Also among those who never saw the movie, but if it brings in a new coaster, I am all for it.

 

[CoasterAddict]

Also among those who never saw the movie, but if it brings in a new coaster, I am all for it.

Amen to that. Actually, I think it's a pretty cool idea even without a new coaster, but new coasters are always a good thing.

 

[chris1013]

I'm another person who hasn't seen the movie yet. However, I'm taking the cautiously optimistic route on this. As a few have said, this could be really well done. Just need to wait and see. It would be great to have an expansion on Animal Kingdom and give that park a little bit more to see and enjoy.

 

[DCTooTall]

Also among those who never saw the movie, but if it brings in a new coaster, I am all for it.

Amen to that. Actually, I think it's a pretty cool idea even without a new coaster, but new coasters are always a good thing.

Just spitballing ideas, But I could see a coaster with a Banshee flight theme fitting in. (They were the flying creatures that everybody mounted and flew around).

I'm another person who hasn't seen the movie yet. However, I'm taking the cautiously optimistic route on this. As a few have said, this could be really well done. Just need to wait and see. It would be great to have an expansion on Animal Kingdom and give that park a little bit more to see and enjoy.

Not to mention, it would give the park more to do, so that they can take EE down for a much needed rehab to fix Betty the Yeti without killing the people-eating capacity of the park.

 

[ToddRN]

Hey everyone... haven't been on the boards for awhile, so doing a little catch-up! Hope everyone's doing great!!!

OMG, finally have a computer again. Very happy that I can get on here. Missed you all.

Hey Darcy- nice to see you again. How are ya doing?!? So ready for WDW, nursing is just a bit too draining sometimes!!

And in other happy happy joy joy news....


I'm down to single Digits until my trip.

I'm getting pretty stoked as well. 21 days out - Woohoo!!!

Well your friendly bartender and his g/f are on the move! My girl and I just got job offers in Tucson we couldn't refuse! We're moving at the end of the month! We're beyond excited! Totally new career field for me but it's also more money and a steady schedule. Good bye on-call hello full time! Hope everyone had an awesome weekend and survived Monday! If everything goes right we'll be going to WDW in the spring. Probably gonna try to do the flower festival thing.

Congrats on the good news!!

oh god....

there is now a Words With Friends Facebook app!

I hear ya... and also an iPad app- way to addicting!!!

I am new to the boards as well

Welcome to SSC!!! Make yourself comfortable!!!

I think my biggest problem with this whole thing is that it seems like Disney can't come up with anything original anymore. Character meet and greets, Pixar and princesses everywhere...now we have to add Marvel and Avatar? Remember the days when Disney created attractions like Pirates and the Haunted Mansion...or how about EPCOT? Hell...even Expedition Everest just several years ago. Now it seems like the imagination has gone out the window. Or...the suits just want in the parks whatever they feel like will bring in the most money.

I pretty much agree- the mouse does need to work on some original ideas!!! I saw the movie, and well- meh. There could be a cool new ride. Other than a few attractions, AK doesn't do a whole lot for me.

 

[DefLepard]

Add me to the list who hasn't seen "Avatar"

For some reason the previews didn't convince me to see it

Looked more like a video game than a movie

"While we’re still in the very early stages of design and planning, we expect this land to be anchored by multiple attractions, entertainment, merchandise locations, restaurants and other immersive elements. Our AVATAR lands will give guests the chance to see, hear and touch the world of Pandora and we can’t wait to dive in with James Cameron and his team as we create new experiences that will delight and thrill our guests."

I guess I will have to rent the movie so I know what is going on in this new attraction 'land'

 

[DCTooTall]

Add me to the list who hasn't seen "Avatar"

For some reason the previews didn't convince me to see it

Looked more like a video game than a movie



I guess I will have to rent the movie so I know what is going on in this new attraction 'land'

If it's done right, I don't see seeing the movie as a required prerequisite to enjoying the land.

Do you enjoy Tom Sawyers Island? Have you ever read the books or seen a movie version?

Do You Enjoy Splash Mountain? Have you ever seen Song of the South?

Do you Enjoy PotC (Pre-Movie version), Small World, Haunted Mansion, Tomorrowland, EPCOT? They are all original ideas.


Avatar has a very nice world created for it, so if the imagineers do things right and just utilize that world properly, then you'll be able to enjoy the narrative they create in the land without requiring already being familiar with the narrative given in the films.

 

[Kfyr23]

Back again hope everyone has been doing good. Not going to try to catch up as usual.

 

[DCTooTall]

Back again hope everyone has been doing good. Not going to try to catch up as usual.

back!


Are you planning on hitting up the parks any for the 40th? It looks like several of us will be down for that weekend.

 

[Kfyr23]

I still haven't bought my AP yet being responsible and paying off bills. Maybe if there is a meet-up outside of the parks.

 

[DefLepard]

If it's done right, I don't see seeing the movie as a required prerequisite to enjoying the land.

Do you enjoy Tom Sawyers Island? Have you ever read the books or seen a movie version?

Do You Enjoy Splash Mountain? Have you ever seen Song of the South?

Do you Enjoy PotC (Pre-Movie version), Small World, Haunted Mansion, Tomorrowland, EPCOT? They are all original ideas.


Avatar has a very nice world created for it, so if the imagineers do things right and just utilize that world properly, then you'll be able to enjoy the narrative they create in the land without requiring already being familiar with the narrative given in the films.

Huckleberry Finn & Tom Sawyer are favorites as books and movies = Tom Sawyers Island has always been fun to explore , mainly when I was a pre teen first visiting WDW

I think I first seen "Song of the South" on Sunday night on The Wonderful World of Disney, Splash Mountain still makes me laugh... Brer Fox & Brer Rabbit are great character's

Do you Enjoy PotC (Pre-Movie version), Small World, Haunted Mansion, Tomorrowland, EPCOT? They are all original ideas.

Original ideas are very exciting at Disney, examples I love are Expedition Everest and Rock'n Roller Coaster and can't forget Tower Of Terror
I get excited thinking about them

I am loving the Avatar idea with your thinking in mind... that you won't have to see the movie as a required prerequisite to enjoying the land.

Let's just sit back and wait for the fun, OH don't forget your 3D glasses

 

[DCTooTall]

Original ideas are very exciting at Disney, examples I love are Expedition Everest and Rock'n Roller Coaster and can't forget Tower Of Terror
I get excited thinking about them

I am loving the Avatar idea with your thinking in mind... that you won't have to see the movie as a required prerequisite to enjoying the land.

Let's just sit back and wait for the fun, OH don't forget your 3D glasses

Don't forget... Tower of Terror is based on the Twilight Zone. Another non-Disney property.


Someone linked an interesting article from Jim Hill in one of the other threads dedicated to the idea. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-hill/avatar-park_b_973615.html

Somehow that article really gives me hope that WDI is going to approach this from the right direction. It's also made me start to imagine the possibilities of using the Castle Projection tech in the new land to help create atmosphere of the world of Pandora after dark.

 

[DefLepard]

Long story short: If you like the recently-opened "Star Tours: The Adventures Continue" ride at Disneyland Park and WDW's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, then think about how much you're going to enjoy an attraction that not only flies you to a far-off place like Pandora but also allows you to exit that craft and go off and explore this world.

I like this part of the huffingtonpost link/article

It makes you wonder if when you leave the ride you will feel like you are on an exotic world, I can only imagine if you left "Star Tours" , walked out and was able to drink at the Mos Eisley Cantina

I know where I would be most of the day